Senior Environment Officer

As a Senior Officer, you will take a leading role in delivering targeted, evidence-led action to improve water quality across the River Wye catchment in Mid Wales. This high-impact role contributes directly to NRW’s statutory duties under the Water Framework Directive, Habitats Regulations and the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021. This is a fixed-term appointment until 31/03/27, with the possibility of permanency.

Acting as a local specialist, you will lead interventions to reduce nutrient enrichment, with a strong focus on diffuse agricultural pollution, while supporting work on urban and industrial pressures affecting water quality. You will help protect designated sites within the Wye system and improve the catchment’s ecological condition. Working closely with the CoAPR Team, you will provide technical expertise, coordinate targeted compliance activity and undertake CoAPR inspections where required. You will support Environment Officers to address non-agricultural pollution, ensuring a joined-up approach to managing risks to sensitive habitats. You will develop and guide sub-catchment action plans, prioritise interventions using risk-based evidence, and lead compliance and enforcement activity.

The role includes mentoring colleagues, representing NRW with farmers, land managers and partners, supporting partnership working, and playing a senior role in NRW’s incident management service. Driving is essential to this role as you will need to travel independently to farms in rural areas where there are no public transport routes and the work cannot be undertaken remotely. You must hold a full and current UK driving licence.

What you will do:

• Represent NRW in discussions with partner organisations.
• Act as technical mentor and advisor to team members.
• Assist the Team Leader in the planning and delivery of compliance programme and enforcement.
• Take appropriate actions to collect evidence for enforcement purposes, in accordance with defined procedures.
• Where non-compliance is identified, determine and implement the most appropriate intervention option.
• Co-ordinate the technical development of team members.
• Play a key role in identifying opportunities for new Management Agreements and Partnership Projects to deliver NRW priorities at place.
• Support a resilient and competent NRW Incident Management Service following NRW processes.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• Commit to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.
• Commit to personal development through the effective use of your personal development plan (Sgwrs).
• Take part in incident response activities.
• Perform any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills:

• Experience of project development and management (Desirable).
• Overall understanding of the sustainable management of natural resources, with focused expertise in a distinct area of the Environment Team remit.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and the public, explaining issues and gaining support by influencing.
• Good knowledge and experience of regulatory and enforcement processes.
• Hold a current full UK valid licence to drive NRW fleet vehicles (cars and vans).

Welsh language requirement:

Essential: Level A1 – Entry level. If you do not meet the A1 requirement, NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support.

Other requirements:

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS). Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

Benefits:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (internal staff remain in their current pension scheme).
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days.
• Generous leave entitlements for all life needs.
• Commitment to professional development.
• Health and wellbeing benefits and support.
• Weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose.

Equal opportunities:

We are committed to equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.